7th annual C.E.A.D. Conference

EOU hosts 7th annual C.E.A.D. diversity conference 

Feb. 8, 2018 La Grande, Ore. — The annual Celebrate, Educate and Appreciate (C.E.A.D.) Conference at Eastern Oregon University features a keynote speaker who’s traveled to La Grande from the East Coast.

Amy Irby-Shasanmi, assistant professor of sociology at the University of West Georgia, will share her work on the ways in which racism and discrimination get “under your skin” and impact one’s physical and mental health at the conference on Saturday, Feb. 17.

Irby-Shasanmi teaches medical sociology, health disparities, and the sociology of mental health and illness. She earned her bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and her master’s and doctorate in sociology from Indiana University.

Keynote speaker Amy Irby-Shasanmi

Featuring multiple workshops, speakers, lunch and more, the conference is open to students, faculty, staff and the community. The conference provides a space where participants can engage in thoughtful and informative conversations about diversity, social justice, privilege and bias while learning how it impacts interactions and perceptions of diversity.

Workshops include Claiming Body Sovereignty: Embodying the Intersections of Fatness, Queerness,and Indigeneity; Discrimination and Privilege: A Matter of Sickness and Health, Life and Death and What is Cultural Appropriation?”

“I would recommend everyone to go because not only do you learn a lot about diversity but you also learn a lot about yourself. Also, because there is always good food!” said Nicole Almanza, ASEOU director for diversity and equity.

Participants at the CEAD conference can receive a certificate for completing four hours of diversity training, upon request. There is no cost for students to participate and the first 100 students who check-in and complete the day’s events, will receive a free T-shirt. A $30 registration fee applies to non-students and includes the cost of lunch. The Center for Teaching, Learning and Assessment will cover the cost of up to 30 faculty and staff who attend.

EOU’s Multicultural Center, Student Council for Multicultural Affairs and Associated Students at EOU Student Fee Committee also support the conference.

Check in begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by the keynote address at 9 a.m. Two sessions with workshops will be offered, as well as a working lunch. All activities take place in Badgley Hall and the conference concludes at 3 p.m.

Registrations is open online at eou.edu/mc/programs-services/cead-conference. Contact Bennie Moses-Mesubed at bmoses@eou.edu for more information.